So you got yourself a face to face meeting with a decision maker. This is epic. Could be a game changer, you think.
This is your “one shot, one opportunity to seize everything you ever wanted in one moment” like in the the Eminem song. It's your personal anthem that plays on rotation on Spotify as you sit in the lobby of the office of the producer you most want to meet who could make your script or book into a movie. Or the sales agent or distributor that finance your projec…

So you got yourself a face to face meeting with a decision maker. This is epic. Could be a game changer, you think.
This is your “one shot, one opportunity to seize everything you ever wanted in one moment” like in the the Eminem song. It's your personal anthem that plays on rotation on Spotify as you sit in the lobby of the office of the producer you most want to meet who could make your script or book into a movie. Or the sales agent or distributor that finance your projec…

Dear Stage 32ers and Fellow Peers,
I’m a DP/Filmmaker/Aspiring Director based in LA. I am here today to shed light on something that is not discussed often. Lenses and sensor size.
Am I a lens whore? Yes! Do I obsess about color and image quality? Yes! To be a cinematographer means having a healthy dose of obsession. Your job, first and foremost, is to serve the director’s vision and storyline. Also, to provide ‘eyegasm’ and entertainment to the audience. (I jus…

Dear Stage 32ers and Fellow Peers,
I’m a DP/Filmmaker/Aspiring Director based in LA. I am here today to shed light on something that is not discussed often. Lenses and sensor size.
Am I a lens whore? Yes! Do I obsess about color and image quality? Yes! To be a cinematographer means having a healthy dose of obsession. Your job, first and foremost, is to serve the director’s vision and storyline. Also, to provide ‘eyegasm’ and entertainment to the audience. (I jus…

Good morning, Creative Army. Welcome to Sunday and another edition of Coffee & Content.
First up this week, writer/showrunner Dan Harmon has never been shy about expressing his opinion or documenting his struggles as a creative. Here, he provides some writing advice and how to avoid procrastination. There are some great nuggets in here - "It doesn't have to be good - it just has to exist." - is one that stuck with me. Be sure to grab something to write on as you listen!
Next, …

Good morning, Creative Army. Welcome to Sunday and another edition of Coffee & Content.
First up this week, writer/showrunner Dan Harmon has never been shy about expressing his opinion or documenting his struggles as a creative. Here, he provides some writing advice and how to avoid procrastination. There are some great nuggets in here - "It doesn't have to be good - it just has to exist." - is one that stuck with me. Be sure to grab something to write on as you listen!
Next, …

Frankly, most of my life has been spent telling myself that I could never quit a survival job to become a working actor. I knew the statistics. I’ve read the data on how many aspiring actors there are. I knew it was not possible for me to be one of the lucky few who could make a living off of the craft. So, I decided long ago that I would find satisfaction in doing what I love after survival job hours. And for many years I did just that.
But recently, I found momentum. I discovere…

Frankly, most of my life has been spent telling myself that I could never quit a survival job to become a working actor. I knew the statistics. I’ve read the data on how many aspiring actors there are. I knew it was not possible for me to be one of the lucky few who could make a living off of the craft. So, I decided long ago that I would find satisfaction in doing what I love after survival job hours. And for many years I did just that.
But recently, I found momentum. I discovere…

Happy Sunday, Creative Army.
Fired up this week to bring you another edition of Coffee & Content. Let's get right after it.
Every week, without exception, I receive a few dozen direct messages here on Stage 32 as well as on my Twitter & Instagram accounts from creatives looking for social media advice. Many of the curious identify themselves as introverts. Also, without exception, I receive dozens of DM's from creatives who have no relationship with me (and man…

Happy Sunday, Creative Army.
Fired up this week to bring you another edition of Coffee & Content. Let's get right after it.
Every week, without exception, I receive a few dozen direct messages here on Stage 32 as well as on my Twitter & Instagram accounts from creatives looking for social media advice. Many of the curious identify themselves as introverts. Also, without exception, I receive dozens of DM's from creatives who have no relationship with me (and man…

*Inhales* Ah yes, the smell of ammonia mixed with a hint of latex.
It’s time for your regular doctor’s visit. Don’t worry, no one is going to ask you to turn your head and cough. Instead, we’re going to examine one of the major setbacks in the writing process. Often times, this drawback will be accompanied by those all too familiar warning signs:
Symptoms
Irritability/Mood swings
Sobbing uncontrollably into your coffee mug
Lack of focus
An insatia…

*Inhales* Ah yes, the smell of ammonia mixed with a hint of latex.
It’s time for your regular doctor’s visit. Don’t worry, no one is going to ask you to turn your head and cough. Instead, we’re going to examine one of the major setbacks in the writing process. Often times, this drawback will be accompanied by those all too familiar warning signs:
Symptoms
Irritability/Mood swings
Sobbing uncontrollably into your coffee mug
Lack of focus
An insatia…

You slogged. You toiled. You loaded up your latest draft of your script, took a soul searching breath then hit Send. With your precious cargo now in the hands of a script reader, you wait. And fret. “Is it funny enough?” “Does the B story work?” “Did I mess up my homophones!?” Then the day finally arrives: the script coverage you spent a pretty penny on appears in your inbox. Three words - pass, consider, recommend - could be the difference between hav…

You slogged. You toiled. You loaded up your latest draft of your script, took a soul searching breath then hit Send. With your precious cargo now in the hands of a script reader, you wait. And fret. “Is it funny enough?” “Does the B story work?” “Did I mess up my homophones!?” Then the day finally arrives: the script coverage you spent a pretty penny on appears in your inbox. Three words - pass, consider, recommend - could be the difference between hav…

This is a true story.
I was waiting to audition for a commercial. The door to the room opens, and the casting person has his arm around the guy who was auditioning before me. The actor was a big, bald guy, all muscle. The casting person was patting him on the back, telling him how great he was, and making sure they had his contact info. When I was called, I wanted to say, “Look, if you love that guy so much, I don’t even have to read for you.” Despite that feeling, in …

This is a true story.
I was waiting to audition for a commercial. The door to the room opens, and the casting person has his arm around the guy who was auditioning before me. The actor was a big, bald guy, all muscle. The casting person was patting him on the back, telling him how great he was, and making sure they had his contact info. When I was called, I wanted to say, “Look, if you love that guy so much, I don’t even have to read for you.” Despite that feeling, in …

Adam Finer, one of New York Film Academy’s professors at the Los Angeles Campus, is a much-sought after speaker in the film industry. A former literary manager and film producer, Adam spent over a decade as a marketing executive at Universal Studios.
Stage 32 caught up with him at Film Con Hollywood where offered advice on the one thing creatives need to do to get their work seen.
Click Here For Adam's Advice!
Remember, if you haven't subscr…

Adam Finer, one of New York Film Academy’s professors at the Los Angeles Campus, is a much-sought after speaker in the film industry. A former literary manager and film producer, Adam spent over a decade as a marketing executive at Universal Studios.
Stage 32 caught up with him at Film Con Hollywood where offered advice on the one thing creatives need to do to get their work seen.
Click Here For Adam's Advice!
Remember, if you haven't subscr…

Happy Sunday, everyone. Back from the cold of Sundance and into the rain of L.A. Not complaining, mind you, just stating fact. A huge congratulations to all the Stage 32 educators and members who not only had films at Sundance, but were involved in some of the biggest sales up there this year. We'll be updating you on what went on with the Stage 32 family soon.
For now, let's warm up with another edition of Coffee & Content.
First up, it's on YouTube, but it's just audio. It's also…

Happy Sunday, everyone. Back from the cold of Sundance and into the rain of L.A. Not complaining, mind you, just stating fact. A huge congratulations to all the Stage 32 educators and members who not only had films at Sundance, but were involved in some of the biggest sales up there this year. We'll be updating you on what went on with the Stage 32 family soon.
For now, let's warm up with another edition of Coffee & Content.
First up, it's on YouTube, but it's just audio. It's also…

If you think not writing a TV bible for your series is okay, think again. Studio and indie producers are asking for them, and there are a million reasons why having one can serve you.
Okay, maybe not a million. But enough.
Here are a few:
1) A bible can help you, the writer, understand your characters and your world better than you thought.2) A bible can give the producer faith that you know your world and are prepared to discuss the series with confidence.3) Creating a bible can help…

If you think not writing a TV bible for your series is okay, think again. Studio and indie producers are asking for them, and there are a million reasons why having one can serve you.
Okay, maybe not a million. But enough.
Here are a few:
1) A bible can help you, the writer, understand your characters and your world better than you thought.2) A bible can give the producer faith that you know your world and are prepared to discuss the series with confidence.3) Creating a bible can help…

As any actor can attest, perseverance and determination are the keys to a successful acting career. Over the past five and a half years, I have used these two traits to navigate my journey through this crazy life we call show business. Case in point, I was recently cast in a project through a Stage 32 connection. The casting was a direct result of establishing a relationship with the project’s creator, discussing general information as well as their current project, and then follow…

As any actor can attest, perseverance and determination are the keys to a successful acting career. Over the past five and a half years, I have used these two traits to navigate my journey through this crazy life we call show business. Case in point, I was recently cast in a project through a Stage 32 connection. The casting was a direct result of establishing a relationship with the project’s creator, discussing general information as well as their current project, and then follow…